Thursday, April 13, 2017

Photos from a Bicycle Ride across the USA

If you’re thinking about riding a bicycle across the United
States, I absolutely encourage you to get out there and pedal.

I’ve done two trips, one in 2007, another in
2011, two of the greatest adventures of my life. I tell everyone who’s interested: It’s not that hard. If you can pedal
without crashing you can do what I did. You just have to be persistent. I was 58-years-old
when I rode across the country for the first time.

I was in good shape for my age—but you don’t have to
be a superb athlete to make this happen. Again, you have to be persistent.

If you aren’t the type to quit, you can manage.

If you’re interested in details, I have lengthy posts describing
both trips. I was still teaching in 2007 and my students at Loveland Middle School helped raise
$13,500 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I raised $10,500
in 2011—and got handcuffed as a suspected bank robber while traveling
in Indiana.

I did both trips east to west, saving the most spectacular scenery for
last. I also made a point of hitting Yellowstone both times, and traveled more than 4,000
miles on each trip.

Here’s the best news. Both times, when I reached the
Pacific, I wished I could turn around and ride back.

I had that much
fun.

Many riders I’ve talked to would say the same.

My daughter Emily developed Type 1 diabetes when she was 14.I rode in her honor.

I always tried to teach my students if you have two legs, you can do it.You can always do more than you think.

I began my ride in Avalon, New Jersey.The first few days, I rode down the coast, took a ferry from Cape May and crossed over into Delaware and Maryland.

I carried camping gear; but when I was tired I paid for motels.In Fredericksburg, Virginia I stayed in a real dump.That's the towel the motel supplied!

I taught history. So I visited the battlefield at Chancellorsville.

I also steamed up a steep hill to see Jefferson's home at Monticello.

I think this is a famous pioneer's car.Blue Ridge Mountains.

(I didn't take many pictures of Ohio, Indiana or Illinois.Lots of farm fields.)